April 23, 2018. Review of the hearing in the case of a Danish believer in Oryol

On April 23, 2018, the charges against him were announced at a court hearing in the case of the Danish believer Dennis Christensen. The defendant and his lawyers expressed their attitude to this charge. The further procedure for the trial has been determined.

The hearing began at 10:40 a.m. Christensen thanked Judge Rudnev for the opportunity to familiarize himself with all 12 volumes of the case, but clarified that he was not allowed to familiarize himself with "material evidence" (audio and video recordings of operational surveillance, as well as printed materials and personal records seized from believers).

Prosecutor Fomin announced the charges. When asked if he understood the accusation, Christensen explained that only part of it was understood. Many of the accusations are so general that he does not understand what exactly he is accused of.

Expressing his attitude to the charges, lawyer Zhenkov said that the defense intends to help the court clearly distinguish between what should be considered the consequences of the liquidation of a particular legal entity, and what is an inviolable human right to freedom of religion. (The attitude of lawyer Viktor Zhenkov to the charge against Dennis Christensen.) Lawyer Bogdanov expressed his and lawyer Krasnikova's attitude to the charges: by virtue of the provisions of Articles 14 and 73 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, the subject of criminal proceedings cannot be an assessment of a human act depending on his religion. The indictment does not contain the substance of the charge, a description of the place and time of the alleged criminal acts, methods, consequences and other significant circumstances, without which it is impossible to pass a court verdict.

Further, the court appointed the order of the proceedings: first the interrogation of witnesses, then the interrogation of the defendant and, finally, the debate of the parties. Schedule of hearings for the next month: April 24, 25, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 May 2018. Time: 10:30 a.m.